Celtic told the 3 Sead Haksabanovic qualities they missed as winger holds answer to Brendan Rodgers transfer puzzle

The 23-year-old was Stoke's star man during Saturday's 2-0 win over Middlesbrough and is set for an extended run in the team.

It's fair to say that Sead Haksabanovic's Celtic career never really got going as he left on loan amidst a cryptic social media post.

He scored just five goals from 44 appearances after penning a five-year-deal from Rubin Kazan in August 2022 and it was clear that he wouldn't be part of Brendan Rodgers' immediate plans when he replaced Ange Postecologlou over the summer. The winger was shipped out on-loan to Stoke City following the acquisition of Luis Palma to the Parkhead ranks and has had to be patient for a regular run in Alex Neil's starting XI.

Haksabanovic provided a crucial assist when called upon and has earned a run in the team as the Potters climb the English Championship table. Neil knows supporters questioned what Haksabanovic, who spent most of his Celtic career on the periphery of the squad, has to offer but is backing him to be a huge success in England and show Hoops chiefs what they are missing.

He said: “Andre Vidigal has been our top goal scorer this season so when he came back obviously we wanted to get him in the team. He gets chances every game he plays. But the reason we brought Haks is that we want a different variety of wide players. Our wide players are all very different and Haks brings a unique set of qualities that others don’t have.

“Technically, he’s excellent. He can come in and roll off that left-hand side onto his right foot, he can stand full-backs up and get at them. We haven’t seen it yet but I see it every day in training, he’s an unbelievable finisher and he gets into good areas. He was very unfortunate at Middlesbrough not to score.

“I think he’s bided his time and it was a good day to introduce him. He helped us get a great result. One hundred per cent, there’s a lot more to come from him.”